NOTES (SCIENCE STUDENTS)

INTERMEDIATE PART I

POEMS

Superior Group of Colleges Bahawalpur

By:
Prof. Aqeel Ahmad
1. WHAT DO THE TOP AND LOWER LEAVES REPRESENT?
The top leaves represent the rich people while the lower leaves represent the poor people. They show social
difference.
2. WHY ARE TOP LEAVES ARE CALLED RICH LEAVES?
The top leaves are rich leaves because they get more rain than the lower leaves. They are the metaphor of the rich
people.
3. WHAT IS THE PERSONIFICATION/SYMBOLISM USED IN THE POEM?
Personification is a figure of speech which gives human qualities to inanimate objects. The drinking leaves have been
personified. They show the rich people.
4. WHAT DOES THE POET HEAR? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE RAIN FALLS ON THE LEAVES?
When the rain falls on the leaves, its dripping creates sweet music. Thus the rain is a musical display of nature.
5. WHAT ARE THE PHENOMENA OF NATURE EXPRESSED IN THE POEM? /HOW HAS NATURE BEEN EXPRESSED?
Two phenomena have been mentioned in the poem. They are rain and sunshine. They reflect the beauty of nature.
6. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE RAIN STOPS?/ WHAT IS THE SCENERY AFTER THE RAIN STOPS?
When the rain stops, everything will look washed and bright by the sunshine. The drops of water will shine like pearls.
It will be beautiful sight.
7. WHAT IS THE HOPE/DESIRE OF THE POET?
The poet hopes that the sun will appear and shine brightly after the rain. Symbolically, it is the sun of hope, equality
and justice.
8. HOW CAN A RAINY DAY BE ENJOYED?
It depends upon one‟s mood and taste. However, it can be enjoyed by visiting some park, riding a bike, taking a bath in
the rain, eating some sweet dish and fascinating the rain fall while sitting near the window.
9. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
The poem is the appreciation of natural beauty of the rain fall and the sunshine. Symbolically, it expresses the plight
and exploitation of the poor in a society.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 2 “NIGHT MAIL”
1. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF NIGHT MAIL? OR WHAT THE QUALITIES OF NIGHT MAIL?
The night mail is the source of communication. It brings letters, cheques and postal orders. It brings letters for both
the rich and the poor.
2. WRITE A NOTE ON ITS JOURNEY. OR WHERE DOES IT PASS THROUGH?
It passes through cotton fields and moorland boulder. It crosses the gradient. It emits steam and makes a noise. It
reaches on time.
3. HOW DOES IT AFFECT ITS SURROUNDING? WHAT IS ITS EFFECT ON THE LIFE AT FARM HOUSE?
It disturbs no one at the farm house. Only a jug shakes in the bedroom. The sheep dogs keep on sleeping while birds
just stare at it.
4. HOW DO THE SHEEPDOGS REACT?
The sheepdogs don‟t bark at the night mail. They even don‟t run after it. They keep on sitting and sleeping on its
arrival.
5. WHAT IS THE REACTION OF THE BIRDS?
The birds don‟t fly to see the night mail. They stare at the coaches of the train.
6. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
The poet symbolically gives an account of the journey and functions of the night mail. It denotes a diligent and
determined person who always reaches his destination in spite of difficulties and problems
7. WHAT IS THE PERSONIFICATION IN THE POEM?
Personification is to give human attributes to inanimate objects. The night mail has been described as a determined
and diligent person. The poet has used “she, snorting, her shoulder” for the night mail.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 3“LOVLIEST OF TREES THE CHERRY NOW”
1. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF WHITE COLOUR IN THE POEM?
The white colour is symbolic in the poem. It represents the beautiful, fascinating and peace loving aspect of nature. It
also represents the Christian dressed in white for the Easter.
2. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHERRY TREE IN THE POEM?
The cherry tree loaded with white flowers in the spring season represents the whole nature and its beauty. Its appeal
is everlasting
3. WHAT IS AN EASTER?
The Easter is a Christian festival. The Christian wear white dress on it. They commemorate the Resurrection of Christ
(A.S) from dead. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21st March.
4. HOW OLD IS THE POET?
The poet has passed twenty years of his age. He feels sorry that his life has passed without enjoying the beauty of
nature.
5. WHY DOES POET THINK FIFTY YEARS LITTLE TIME TO ENJOY?
The poet thinks that man‟s life is too short to enjoy the charm of natural beauty. The appeal in God‟s art is everlasting
for those who behold it.
6. WHICH TYPE OF TREE IS DESCRIBED IN THE POEM?
The cherry tree has been mentioned in the poem. It is loaded with white flowers in the spring season. It represents the
beauty of whole nature.
7. WHAT IS THE TIME OF YEAR DESCRIBED IN THE POEM?
The spring time has been mentioned in the poem. The flowers blossom in it. Everywhere there is colourful scenery.
8. WRITE THE MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
The poem is the fascination for the beauty of nature found in cherry tree. Moreover, the poem is pity on human life
which is too short to enjoy the beauty of nature.
9. WHAT IS THE PROPOSED AGE ACCORDING TO POET?
The proposed age of the poet is seventy years. According to the Christian faith man can live for seventy years in this
world.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 4“O WHERE ARE YOU GOING”
1. WHAT KIND OF FEELINGS DOES THE POET CREATE IN THE MINDS OF THE READERS?
The poet creates the realization that cowards die many times before death. The brave people face the hardships of life
bravely and put aside all the apprehensions.
2. WITH WHAT NAMES DOES THE POET ADDRESS THE OPTIMIST AND PESSIMIST? OR WHAT IS THE PERSONIFICATION
OF THE READER AND RIDER? WHAT ARE THE NAMES GIVEN TO THE READER AND RIDER? QUALITIES OF BOTH
The rider is optimist while the reader is pessimist. Courage is personified as the rider while cowardice is personified
as the reader. The rider is farer, hearer, risky and brave while the reader is horror, fearer and coward and frightens the
rider.
3. WHAT TYPE OF POEM IS THIS? WHAT IS THE THEME OF THE POEM?
It is a moralistic poem. It teaches us that we should believe in optimistic acceptance of difficulties. We should face
hardships manly.
4. WHAT DO YOU FEEL AFTER READING THE POEM?
I feel that the way of success is uncertain, ambiguous and challenging. Thus, man should pave his way with hard work,
courage and bravery, ignoring fears.
5. WHAT DOES THE TITLE OF THE POEM SIGNIFY?
The title signifies that it is a dialogue between two imaginary persons. One of them is going for some expedition while
other frightens him of the hardships of the journey.
6. WHAT ARE THE HARDSHIPS OF THE JOURNEY? OR DESCRIBE THE JOURNEY. OR WHAT ARE THE DANGERS
INDICATED BY THE READER? OR WHAT IS GAP IN THE POEM?
The journey is full of hardships. It has long and challenging distance (gap). It has maddening smell of dunghill, the fear
of a shocking disease, a ghost and the darkness of gloom and failure.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 5“IN THE STREET OF FRUIT STALLS”
1. WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF WAR?
The war has disturbed the life in general. It has brought poverty and misery in the world. Its darkness is everywhere
after the war.
2. WHAT ARE THE FRUITS MENTIONED IN THE POEM?
Three fruits like melon, guava and mandarin have been mentioned in the poem. They represent the blessings and
pleasures of life.
3. HOW ARE THE FRUITS ARRANGED?
The fruits are arranged in a pyramid shape. They look like cannon balls to the poet.
4. WHY DOES THE POET CONSIDER THE FRUITS CANNON BALLS?
The poet is worried because the world is threatened by the war, poverty, misery and darkness of pessimism all around.
Thus, the fruits appear to him the weapons of destruction.
5. WHAT TYPE OF SOCIETY IS DISCUSSED IN THE POEM?
The society mentioned in the poem is poor. The children are black and have only one coin to spend. They have lack of
resources.
6. HOW DO THE CHILDREN ENJOY THEIR LIFE?
The children don‟t get afraid of the war around. They are even careless of the problems of adulthood. They buy the
fruit, eat it with delight and make their faces dirty.
7. HOW DO THE CHILDREN EAT THE FRUITS?
The children take the fruit and break it. They eat it and enjoy themselves. They make their mouth, nose, fingers, cheek
and chin dirty.
8. WHAT ARE THE FEELINGS OF THE POET?
The poet is sad and worried because the world is threatened by war, poverty and misery. He feels hopeless. He wishes
to live a carefree life like theirs.
9. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
The poet condemns the war and its resuls. It brings destruction and snatches human happiness. There is also contrast
of childhood and adulthood. The former is free of cares while the latter is surrounded by the darkness of war, poverty
and misery.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 6“SIDHI WOMAN”
1. WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF SINDHI WOMAN?/ HOW DID POET DESCRIBE HARDSHIPS OF WOMAN? OR WHAT ARE THE
HARDSHIPS OF THE SINDHI WOMAN DESCRIBED IN THE POEM? WHICH APPEALING QUALITY OF SINDHI WOMAN IS
PRAISED BY THE POET?
She lives in abject poverty at Karachi slums. She works at home as well in fields. She has to pass through stones,
garbage, excrement and pieces of glass. But she walks gracefully and confidently. This quality inspires the poet and
he praises her.
2. HOW DOES SHE WALK THROUGH KARACHI SLUMS?
She walks through Karachi slums gracefully and confidently. She is carrying a stone jar on her head. She glides with it
and there is no ripple in her walk.
3. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF STONE JAR? WHAT IS SHE CARRYING?
The Sindhi woman is carrying a stone jar on her head. It symbolizes the difficulties of life which the Sindhi Woman
faces.
4. WHAT IS THE THEME/MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
The poem is the appreciation of hard work in life. It is also a tribute to a Sindhi woman who is diligent and bears the
hardships of life bravely. Hard work has made her physically and mentally strong.
5. WHAT KIND OF PICTURE OF SLUMS OF THE KARACHI WE GET AFTER READING THE POEM?
 Karachi slums are a poor dwelling. The hygienic and sanitary condition is very poor. There are garbage, stones,
excrement and pieces of glass everywhere.
6. WHAT DID THE POET REFLECT WHEN HE SAW THE WOMAN?
The poet reflected that those who can walk beneath weight remain straight like Sindhi woman even in their old age
while those who lead a lazy and luxurious life bend like the poet. He realized the importance of labour in life.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 7“TIME”
1. WHAT DOES THE TITLE SIGNIFY? WHAT IS THE THEME/MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM? WHAT IS THE MESSAGE GIVEN BY
THE POEM?
It shows the importance of time and fate in man‟s life. Nothing (death, life, happiness, sorrow, gain, loss, making,
breaking, etc) can happen before or after its destined time. We should enjoy our life to its fullest by making suitable
use of time. Moreover man should be humble before God.
2. FROM WHERE HAS THE POEM, TIMES BEEN TAKEN? WHAT IS ECCLESIASTES?
The poem „Times‟ is the part of Hebrew Bible named Ecclesiastes. It is called the book of wisdom and attributed to
Solomon. It is about human vanity and its role in man‟s life.
3. DESCRIBE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TIME TO SOW SEEDS AND CUT?
This world is a test of man and he has been given a chance of limited life to sow seeds of good deeds and harvest their
reward in life hereafter.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 8“OZYMANDIAS”
1. WHO TELLS ABOUT THE STATUE OF OZYMANDIAS? OR WHAT DID THE TRAVELER SEE IN THE DESERT? WHAT WAS
THE CONDITION OF THE STATUTE?
A traveler found the statue of the king, Ozymandias in a desert. He had come from an ancient land. He told the
condition of the statue of the king. The statue was broken with two legs standing in the desert. The upper part with
shattered face was buried in the sand nearby.
2. WHAT DID THE FEATURES OF THE STATUTE REFLECT?
The statue had cold command and wrinkled lips. The feelings of pride, anger, mercilessness and cold command had
been imprinted on the statue.
3. WHY DOES THE TRAVELER APPRECIATE THE STATUE?
The traveler appreciates the art of sculptor. He has portrayed the feelings of hatred, pride and self-obsession of
Ozymandias excellently.
4. WHO WAS OZYMANDIAS?
Ozymandias was an Egyptian Pharaoh and his name was King Ramses II. The Greeks called him “Ozymandias. He was
proud and conceited. He claimed himself the king of kings.
5. WHAT WAS WRITTEN ON THE PEDESTAL?
On the pedestal of the statue, there was written, “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings, Look on my works. Ye
mighty, and despair!”
6. WHAT ARE THE FEELINGS CREATED IN THE MINDS OF THE READERS?
The poem creates the feeling that pride hath a fall. Man‟s life is no more than an illusion. Wealth and power are
temporary and declining
7. WHAT IS THE MORAL LESSON?
The poem teaches the moral lesson that pride hath a fall. Human wealth, power and pride end soon. Human rise is
subjected to decline. Thus, man should be humble before God.
8. WHAT IS A SONNET POEM?
A sonnet is a lyrical poem with fourteen lines. It is mostly written in iambic pentameter. Petrarch is considered to be
its pioneer.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 9“THE FEED”
9. WHAT IS THE SPARROW HOLDING IN ITS BEAK? OR WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GRAIN OF MILLET?
The mother sparrow is holding a grain of millet in her beak. She has come to feed her ten children with only one grain.
It shows the lack of food in the world for the poor.
10. HOW MANY YOUNG BABY BIRDS ARE THERE IN THE NEST? OR WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THE BABY BIRDS?
There are ten young birds in the nest. They are hungry and crying for food. They represent the poverty stricken hungry
masses of the world.
11. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM/DILEMMA OF THE MOTHER SPARROW?
The mother sparrow is confused and worried at the hunger of her ten children. She doesn‟t know how to break one
grain of millet into ten parts and satisfy the hunger of her offspring. She represents all the poor mothers of the world.
12. WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF SPLITTING ATOM?
The splitting of atom has brought death and woe in the world. It has increased poverty.
13. WHAT IS THE SUGGESTION OF THE POET?/ WHO IS ADDRESSED IN THE POEM?
The poet criticizes the developed nations and nuclear states. They have wasted worldly resources on weapons and
ignored human plight like poverty.
14. WHAT IS THE THEME/CENTRAL IDEA/MESSAGE OF THE POEM?
This is a metaphorical reflection of the plight of the poor people of the world through a mother sparrow. She is worried
at the hunger of her children. It is also criticism at the nuclear states. They have wasted money on weapons.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 10“THE HOLLOW MEN”
1. WHY IS MODERN MEN CALLED HOLLOW MEN? OR WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED HOLLOW MEN? OR WHAT ARE THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOLLOW MEN?
The modern men have been called hollow men because they are spiritually void. They are coward. Their actions and
conversation are meaningless and purposeless. They are submissive and leaning together.
2. HOW DO THE WHISPER OF HOLLOW MEN SOUND? OR WHY ARE THEIR VOICES HOLLOW?
Their whispering is quite meaningless and purposeless. It looks like the blowing wind through dry grass and sound
produced by the rat moving over the broken glass.
3. HOW ARE MODERN MEN DIFFERENT FROM PAST PEOPLE?
 The past people had knowledge and courage. They could face death with direct eyes. The modern men are spiritually
hollow and have no courage.
4. WHAT IS THE MORAL LESSON OF THE POEM?
The poem persuades us to lead a purposeful life with fruitful actions and conversation. The spiritual emptiness makes
our potential paralyzed.
5. WHY DOES THE POET CALL MODERN MEN STUFFED MEN?
The poet calls the modern men stuffed men because their minds are filled with the straw of useless thoughts. They are
inwardly coward.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 11“LEISURE”
1. WHY DOES THE POET CRITICIZE THE MODERN MAN?
The poet criticizes the modern man. He remains obsessed and finds no time to enjoy natural delights. He ignores his
aesthetic pleasure and spiritual needs.
2. WHAT ARE THE DELIGHTS MISSED BY THE MODERN MAN?
The modern man ignores many delights of nature like greenery, the shade of a tree, the beauty of wild life, the shadow
of the moon in a lake and the dance and smile of a young girl.
3. WHAT IS THE PERSONIFICATION USED IN THE POEM?/WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEAUTY‟S GLANCE? WHAT IS
OUR REACTION TO BEAUTY‟S GLANCE?
The figure of speech in which human attributes are given to inanimate objects is called personification. Beauty has
been personified as Beauty‟s glance and dance of a young girl.
4. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA/THEME OF THE POEM? WHY IS THIS LIFE POOR?
The poem is the lamentation on busyness and obsession of present man. He leads a poor life because he has the
delights of nature. But he has no time to enjoy them.
5. WHAT CAN‟T WE SEE AT NIGHT?
We can‟t enjoy the night full of stars. We are involved in material pursuits physically and mentally and thus remain
obsessed even at night.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 12“RUBA’IYAT”
1. WHAT IS A REAL FAITH? OR WHAT SHOULD BE THE FAITH OF THE MUSLIMS?
To be Self honouring and God drunk is the real faith. The Muslims‟ faith should be strong like Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) who
jumped into fire fearlessly for God‟s love.
2. WHO WAS HAZRAT IBRAHIM?
He was the prophet of Allah Almighty. He was called Khalilullah, the friend of God. He was God drunk and jumped into
fire for God‟s love.
3. WHAT IS WORSE THAN SLAVERY?
According to Allama Iqbal, having no faith is worse than slavery. A faithless person gets frightened and bows before
everyone except Allah.
4. WHO CAN‟T COMPETE WITH MAKKA CIVILIZATION?
The Western civilization can‟t compete with Makkah Civilization because it is divided and centre less. The Christian
lack strong faith.
5. ON WHAT DOES THE HARMONY OF THE NATION DEPENDS?
The harmony of a nation depends upon unity and brotherhood. It ensures peaceful and prosperous living.
6. WHAT IS PRESENT STATE OF THE MUSLIMS?
The present Muslims have weak faith, the superficial feelings, the divided ranks and the lack of passion. They are
divided. They have developed differences. Their prayers are cold and devoid of deep feelings.
7. WHAT HAS MADE THE EFFORTS OF THE MUSLIMS FRUITLESS?
The present Muslims have weak faith, the superficial feelings, the divided ranks and the lack of passion. Thus their
efforts don‟t bear fruit.
8. WHAT IS THE MORAL LESSON OF THE POEM?
This moralistic poem has persuasion to have strong faith like Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S). It brings harmony, brotherhood and
passionate feelings.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 13“A TALE OF TWO CITIES”
1. WHAT MADE THE PEOPLE HELPLESS AND POWERLESS?
America attacked two Japanese cities and destroyed their infra structure. The people were wounded, burnt and
fearful. There was no one to help them and share their problems. Thus they were made helpless and powerless.
2. WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES FACED BY THE PEOPLE/VICTIMS?
The Japanese people were wounded, burnt and fearful as a result of the nuclear attack. They experienced pangs and
trials. They had to pass through the grind of destruction. They were moaning with pain.
3. WRITE THE SCENE OF DESTRUCTION.
Everywhere, there were dead bodies and wounded people. The people were crying with pain. Flowers and flavours
were destroyed. There was no one to share their moans and groans.
4. WHAT DOES THE LINE “THE LIVES OF TWO GLORIES” SIGNIFY? OR HOW MUCH TERRIBLE WAS THE EXPLOSION?
The line is an allusion to the destruction of two Japanese cities in a nuclear attack in the World War II. The attack by
America destroyed the infra-structure of two cities.
5. WHAT IS THE MORAL LESSON/MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
The moral lesson of the poem is that a war is destructive and brings woe and deaths. Nuclear weapons bring massive
destruction. Its use should be made for constructive purpose Moreover, it teaches us that man should never quit his
struggle even in adversity.
6. WHO HAS BEEN ADDRESSED/CRITICIZED BY THE POET?
America has been criticized in the poem for her/its violation of human rights. America dropped two atomic bombs and
destroyed hills and grills of both the cities and killed thousands of human beings.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 14“MY NEIGHBOURING FRIEND IS BREATHING HIS LAST”
1. WHEN DOES A PERSON REMEMBER GOD?
 A person remembers God when he observes some death or faces some calamity. He feels helpless and powerless
before fate and death.
2. WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF DEATH SCENE?
There is a lot of crying at the death scene. The relatives and friends feel depressed at death. Everyone talks of
temporariness of human life.
3. WHY DOES A PERSON FEEL HELPLESS AT THE DEATH OF A FRIEND?
A person feels helpless at the death of a friend because he can‟t stop it. He realizes the certainty of death and fate.
4. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF “COMPANIONS READY TO CATCH THE TRAIN”?
The poet symbolically compares human life with a train journey. It passes through various stations of life and ends in
death.
5. WITHOUT WHOSE LOVE BULLAH IS AT LOSS?
Without God and his spiritual guide‟s love, Bullah is at loss. He can‟t live happily and successfully in this world or in the
life hereafter.
6. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
This poem gives the idea of certainty of death and fate. Man is helpless before them. Thus he should be humble and
obedient to God.
7. WHAT DOES THE POET THINK AT THE DEATH OF HIS GUIDE
The poet feels depressed at the death of his spiritual guide because he can‟t stop it. He finds the reality of death and
life. Moreover, he feels that he has depraved the guiding star.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 15“HE CAME TO KNOW HIMSELF”
1. WHY DOES THE POET EMPHASIS ON HOW TO KNOW HIMSELF?
The poet puts emphasis on self-knowledge because self-recognition leads to God‟s recognition. Man falls in God‟s love
after getting the knowledge of being.
2. WHAT MAKES ONE ENTANGLED IN LOVE?
When a person recognizes himself, he recognizes God. Man doesn‟t see anything but God. He becomes God drunk and
falls in His love.
3. WHY DID MANSUR MOUNT GALLOWS? WHO WAS MANSUR?
Mansur was a saint and God drunk. He used to say, “I am God.” The people punished him to death. He accepted his
fate happily for the love of his Lord.
4. WHO WAS JOSEPH? WHO TREADED IN THE BAZAARS OF EGYPT?
He was the prophet of Allah Almighty. He was sold as a slave in Egyptian bazaars. He treaded through Egyptian
bazaars but never complained of his plight to his Creator.
5. WHAT IS BARE TRUTH?
The bare truth is that God is everywhere in the universe. Man has been sent to this world for a short time to know
himself and worship God Almighty.
6. WHAT IS THE MORAL LESSON OF THE POEM?
The poem emphasizes that man should know his purpose of being in order to know God. He should realize that his stay
is temporary in the world. He should realize the existence of God.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 16“GOD’S ATTRIBUTES”
1. HOW MANY ATTRIBUTES ARE MENTIONED IN THE POEM? WHAT IS THEIR ROLE?
Three attributes have been mentioned in the poem. They are „All Seeing‟, „All Hearing‟ and „All Knowing‟. God sees the
hidden or exposed things. He hears every sound and speech. He knows the secrets of hearts and intentions.
2. WHAT MAKES ONE SCARE OF SINNING?
When man realizes that God is „All Seeing‟, he doesn‟t commit a sin and he gets afraid of God. Thus man avoids sins.
3. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD? OR WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD‟S ATTRIBUTES? OR
HOW DO THESE ATTRIBUTES HELP IN THE CHARACTER BUILDING?
God‟s attributes are effective for character building. When man keeps them in mind, he avoids committing sins, having
foul conversation and plotting an evil. He leads a virtuous life.
4. MENTION THREE MORE ATTRIBUTES
Three more attributes of Allah Almighty are: The Creator, The Master, The Supreme. All these names are reflection of
God‟s attributes.
5. DO THE PEOPLE KEEP THESE ATTRIBUTES IN MIND?
Mostly people don‟t keep these attributes in mind and the keep on committing sins, talking absurdly and thinking evil
deeds. Only virtuous people keep them in mind.
6. HOW DOES GOD‟S ATTRIBUTE OF HEARING FRIGHTEN US?
The attribute of „All Hearing‟ frightens us from a foul discourse because man realizes that God hears what is spoken
openly or secretly.
7. HOW DOES GOD‟S ATTRIBUTE OF KNOWING MAKE US A GOOD PERSON HAVING A PIOUS LIFE?
When man realizes the attribute of „All Knowing‟, he avoids plotting an evil because he understands that God knows
the secrets of hearts.
8. WHAT IS THE FIRST CAUSE?
The first cause is God Who originated everything. When there was nothing, there was God. When there will be nothing,
there will be God.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 17“THE DELIGHT SONG”
1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHEN THE POET SAYS, “I AM THE SHADOW THAT FOLLOWS A CHILD”?
The poet wants to share the beauty and innocence of a child. A child is the symbol of beautiful nature and an innocent
and pure life.
2. HOW CAN THE CRUST OF THE SNOW GLITTER?
The crust of the snow glitters when the sunlight falls on it. It presents a beautiful picture. It is also the symbol of
power and splendor.
3. WHAT IS THE DREAM OF THE POET/THEME OF POEM?
 The poet wants to develop good relations and harmony with natural forces. He fascinates nature and imagines being
its part as a feather, rain, the roaring sky, the rolling fish and the glittering mountain.
4. WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF MAN‟S GOOD RELATION WITH THE EARTH AND THE LORDS?
Man‟s good relation with the earth and the lords makes his life fruitful and purposeful. He becomes alive in a real
sense. He develops harmonious relationship with others.
5. WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP A PERSON ALIVE?
Man‟s good relations with the earth, the lords, and the fruitful and beautiful things make his life alive in a real sense.
He develops a harmonious relationship with natural forces. His life becomes colourful and purposeful.
6. WHAT IS THE MOOD OF THE POEM?
The mood of the poem is optimistic. The poet imagines himself to be the part of nature. He wants to develop harmony
with natural forces.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 18“LOVE IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL THE RELIGIONS”
1. WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF LOVE?
Love has pleasant effects on human beings. It changes adversities into good fortune. It changes grief into happiness.
In fact, it makes life worth-living.
2. IS LIFE WORTH LIVING WITHOUT LOVE?
No, life is not worth living without love. It brings peace and harmony in life. It changes adversities into pleasures.
3. WHY DOES THE POET PUT AN EMPHASIS ON LOVE? WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL THE RELIGIONS?
The poet puts emphasis on love because it is the essence of every religion. It makes man God fearing, loving, true,
honest and pious. It brings harmony and peace. It is also the cause of creation of this universe.
4. WHAT BECOMES VINEGAR THROUGH LOVE?
Vinegar is a metaphor of hardships of life and bitter attitude of human beings. Love changes it the sweet wine of
softness and joy as the effect of love.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 19“MAN OF WORDS NOT OF DEEDS”
1. HOW DOES THE LIFE OF MAN PASS THROUGH DIFFERENT PHASES?
The life of a talkative and idle person becomes dull and useless. His life becomes a fruitless garden with weeds. It is
further covered by the snow of sluggishness. His life becomes like a bird in a painting and like a pet lion. It is wounded
in the end and the man meets an early death of failure.
2. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LIFE IS SPENT WITH THE HELP OF WORDS AND NOT OF DEEDS?
The life without deeds rusts man‟s abilities. It becomes fruitless and aimless. Man looses vigour and hope in life and
his life ends in early death.
3. WHAT DOES THE GARDEN LOOK LIKE WHEN THE WEEDS START GROWING?
The garden looks like a snow covered area when weeds start growing. The garden loses its charm and fertility. It
becomes useless and ugly.
4. WHAT IS THE MORAL OF THE POEM?
The poem gives the importance of hard work in life. It polishes our abilities and potential. We should shape our ideas
into practical form rather mere verbosity.
5. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEEDS BEGIN TO GROW?
Weed is the symbol of inactivity, fruitlessness and worthlessness. It finishes the value and charm of the garden of life.
It shows the picture of sluggish human life.
6. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PENKNIFE IN HEART?
Penknife is the symbol of miseries of life. They injure the back of a talkative and idle person. He feels severe pain of
failures in his heart. It brings an early death of decaying.
BOOK NO III POEM NO 20“IN BROKEN IMAGES”
1. WHAT IS THE STATE OF THE TWO PERSONS? OR WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF THE PERSON HAVING BROKEN AND
CLEAR IMAGES?
There are two persons with opposite philosophy of life. One has clear images. He accepts facts as they are. He doesn‟t
raise questions on their truthfulness. He becomes dull and gets his intellect rusted. The other person has broken
image. He asks questions on accepted beliefs and facts. He gets sharp and intelligent with the passage of time.
2. WHY DOES THE PERSON QUESTION HIS SENSES WHEN FACTS FAIL HIM? OR WHO IS IN THE CONFUSION OF NEW
UNDERSTANDING?
The person who believes in his clear images can‟t reach truth. He jumps to conclusions. Ultimately, his conclusion
fails. At this, he becomes doubtful of his senses. He gets confused at his new understanding.
3. WHAT IS THE MORAL LESSON OF THE STORY?
The poem teaches us the moral lesson that we should be inquisitive about the facts of life related to religion, politics
and society. The questions lead to finding truth and clear understanding of facts. On the other hand, passive
acceptance of facts spoils man‟s intellect.
4. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM?
The poem is about two schools of thought in life. One believes in free inquiry and welcomes change while other is
orthodox and trusts the accepted beliefs. The former gets sharp and intelligent while the latter becomes dull because
questioning enhances our knowledge.